Indirect Effects From Menu Labeling Can Improve The Public’s Health

Just this past November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released sweeping final rules requiring that calorie information be posted on menus, menu boards, and vending machines. The regulations expand the proposed rule to include a wide variety of food outlets with more than 20 locations: quick service and table service restaurants, grocery stores and superstores, movie theaters, amusement parks, ice cream shops, takeout and delivery, vending machines, and even alcoholic beverages. In the press release for the final rule, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg stated, “making calorie information available on chain restaurant menus and vending machines is an important step for public health that will help consumers make informed choices for themselves and their families.” Although the scientific evidence linking menu labeling to consumers’ purchasing behavior is weak, indirect effects may contribute more to incremental gains in public health. We highlight a few in the following blog post. Peer Effects Less than half of consumers (38 percent) report noticing the calorie information. However, those who do notice the information may influence the behavior of those who do not. Generally, peer effects or “social spillovers” are widely recognized as an important factor in purchasing behavior. In the case of menu labeling, those who typically notice the information are female, white, over age 30 with higher income and education. This is an opinionated and influential ...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: All Categories Consumers Nonmedical Determinants Obesity Policy Prevention Public Health Source Type: blogs